Danny Griffin and for a spell they became a formidable young pairing at the heart of the defence – arguably our finest

ever youth development ‘pairing’.

Stuart played over 100 first games for Saints and his talent was recognised at international level where he gained U19

caps and then notably U21 caps – he captained that Scotland side and became the most capped U21 player in Scotland’s

history.

Sadly, Stuart didn’t kick on from his time at McDiarmid Park and gave brief service to Clyde, Morton and Dundee before

heading to Australia in 2007.

Danny Griffin - Brought to Saints from Northern Ireland as a 15 year old, Danny plied his trade in the

reserves before breaking through and making a centre-half berth his own for 124 first team matches, often in

partnership with fellow-development success Stuart McCluskey.

Danny made a great impact at international level for Northern Ireland and after making debut in May 1996 against West

Germany he went on to gain a further 28 caps.Danny’s talents were spotted by Derby County who offered Saints £1

million for his services but Danny opted to stay put.

After seven years with Saints, Danny moved to Dundee United before later stints with Stockport County, Aberdeen, Dundee,

Ross County and Livingston but it’s fair to say that his years in Perth were the best of his career.

Andy Whiteford - Incredibly, at the same time as McCluskey and Griffin were making an impression

on St

Johnstone first team and international affairs, Saints boasted a third talented young defender in the shape of fullback Andy

Whiteford and although he didn’t make as big an impression as the other two, he did well in the game nonetheless.

Andy made 17 appearances for Saints and gained one Scotland Under 21 cap (v USA in the 1997 Toulon Tournament) before

moving on to Stirling Albion, Clydebank and Hamilton Accies.

Kieran McAnespie - The crop of defensive talent listed above were soon followed by a young talent who

was equally comfortable as a fullback or winger. Kieran made his debut in a First Division game v Clydebank in February

1997 as Saints marched to the First Division championship but he was sufficiently talented still to be able to make an

impact

at Premier League level.

He played 50 matches in the seasons which followed and memorably scored goals in wins v both Celtic and Rangers. That brought international recognition at Under 21 level (he gained six caps at that level) and in 1998 the then Scotland manager Craig Brown selected him as one of four young players to accompany the full international squad to the 1998 FIFA World Cup Finals in France.

A five-figure move to Fulham followed but he couldn’t make the breakthrough at Craven Cottage and there followed, over the years, spells with ten other clubs plus a return spell with Saints.